Nepal observed a national day of mourning on Monday in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating floods that struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district on August 26. The Cabinet had decided on September 3 to dedicate the day to the victims of the disaster, which has left thousands affected and triggered continuing search and rescue operations.

The national flag was flown at half-mast at government offices across Nepal, as well as at Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions abroad. According to Nepal Police, 1,353 bodies had been recovered by Sunday evening, including 530 men and 328 women. Another 495 bodies were recovered in parts and remained unidentified, while authorities continued efforts to identify and manage the remains.

Police reported that 3,992 people remained out of contact, including 595 foreign nationals. Of the bodies recovered so far, 1,044 had been safely buried, while search operations continued for those still missing. Security agencies have focused particular attention on hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors, where several workers and others were affected by the floods.

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Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged elderly people affected by the disaster not to feel abandoned, assuring them that the state and government stood firmly with them. In a message on social media, Shah recalled the difficult circumstances faced by elderly parents who had to move to safer ground while protecting their grandchildren during the floods. He emphasised the extraordinary efforts made by elderly people to protect their families despite their own vulnerability.

The Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal reported that 919 people employed at 11 hydropower projects remained out of contact as of Sunday evening. Search and rescue teams have continued operations in the affected areas, while some survivors have been rescued. Two Nepali nationals were rescued from the 60-MW Upper Trishuli 3A project on September 4, followed by the rescue of a Chinese national from the 216-MW Upper Trishuli-1 project on September 5.

The national mourning comes as Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of the disaster nearly two weeks after the floods. Authorities are still working to locate missing people, identify recovered bodies and support affected communities, particularly along the river corridors where access and rescue operations remain challenging.

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